 |
 Gambia| Facts & Figures |
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| President:
Yahya Jammeh (1994) Land area: 3,861 sq mi (10,000 sq km);
total area: 4,363 sq mi (11,300 sq km) Population (2009 est.): 1,782,893 (growth
rate: 2.6%); birth rate: 37.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 67.3/1000;
life expectancy: 55.3; density per sq km: 173
Capital (2003 est.):
Banjul, 46,700 Largest city: Serekunda, 344,100 Monetary unit: Dalasi More Facts & Figures |
GeographySituated on the Atlantic coast in westernmost
Africa and surrounded on three sides by Senegal, Gambia is twice the size
of Delaware. The Gambia River flows for 200 mi (322 km) through Gambia on
its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the continent,
averages only 20 mi (32 km) in width.
GovernmentRepublic.
HistorySince the 13th century, the Wolof, Malinke, and
Fulani peoples have settled in what is now Gambia. The Portuguese were the
first European explorers, encountering the Gambia River in 1455, and in
1681, the French founded an enclave at Albredabut. During the 17th century,
Gambia was settled by various companies of English merchants. Slavery was
the chief source of revenue before it was abolished in 1807. Gambia became
a British Crown colony in 1843 and an independent nation within the
Commonwealth of Nations on Feb. 18, 1965. Full independence was approved
in a 1970 referendum, and on April 24 of that year Gambia proclaimed
itself a republic.
Dauda Kairaba Jawara served as Gambia's
president from 1970 to 1994. A military coup led by Capt. Yahya Jammeh
deposed the president in July 1994, suspended the constitution, and banned
existing political parties. Jammeh promised new elections, which were held
in Sept. 1996 and which he won with 55% of the vote. In 1997, he returned
the country to civilian rule, and in 2001, he lifted the ban against
opposition parties. Censorship of the press and other repressive measures
mar the country's transition to democracy. In Dec. 2004,
Gambia passed a media law that allows the state to jail journalists found
guilty of libel and sedition. In September presidential elections,
incumbent Yahya Jammeh won a third term.
See also
Encyclopedia:
The Gambia
.
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes:
The Gambia
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